And just like that, I'm evil Mr. McGregor
May 29, 2007
There is, in our back yard, underneath our deck, a rabbit. A tiny wee lump of bunny. Put your hands together, cupped, so your wrists meet and your fingertips brush against each other. Our bunny would fit in that space, and she would sit there and quiver, with eyes obsidian bright and fur so velvet-rich and soft it looks like the physical representation of a baby’s breath.
The other day Clay and the boys were out in the back yard, putting new bark down around the flowers. I’d been helping too, but I’d wandered off in search of some water or something shiny, I dunno. Anyhow, when I came back to the scene of the work, all four of them were standing there, staring. At the lawn, I thought.
“What’s up?”
“We have a bunny, living under our deck,” whispered Tre.
“Oh?”
“RIGHT THERE.”
I turned and followed their line of vision, and there was the bunny. She nibbled on grass, she hopped a bit, she quivered.
All of my great big thundering man-beasts, from Clay right down to Raphael, were transfixed. Look at the bunny.
Looooook at iiiiiiit!
All of this was well and good. The bunny under the deck made for hours of crevice-sniffing entertainment for Carmelita, who raced back and forth and snuffled until I was certain she was going to end up with splinters in her nose.
We were bunny enchanted.
But.
Then.
I went out to the garden this evening and saw spinach looking like this:
When it HAD been looking more like this:
And now I’m wondering: just HOW WRONG is it to kill tiny, quivering bunnies?
Borrow ye a Yorkshire Terrier ... we had one who, other than her ability to find and kill random rabbits, was good for nothing. But man, she could take down rabbits as big as she was!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 29, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Two words--Havahart trap
Once you catch it, let the great big thundering men beast get their bunny fix and then relocate the bunny.
Could I interest anyone in a racoon that just entered into the relocation program as of this morning. ;-)
Posted by: Nevermind | May 30, 2007 at 04:48 AM
Or put out bunny food -- right by the porch, so it's closer than the garden!
Posted by: Salome Ellen | May 30, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Growing up, our cat(s) killed any number of bunnies and bunny babies. *shrug* I'd say, if it's possible and relatively easy to trap it, do so and release it far away from your home. But if not, hey, it's just a rabbit. Sure, they look cute and all, but they can be really mean sometimes, and when they bite it hurts! Not to mention the problem that one female rabbit will turn into 10 rabbits in relatively short order.
One word of warning: whatever you do about the rabbit, if the rabbit has time to get upset it may scream. Rabbit screams sound disturbingly child-like, so brace yourself beforehand.
Posted by: Sarah | May 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
I say get a cat and be rid of the stupid furry lagomorph. Not much better than a squirrel, if you ask me. Although, that bunny is a true locavore. Have you heard that term yet? Plus if she eats your spinach, you won't have any left to give me, which likely is the biggest heartbreak of all in this drama.
Posted by: groovecatmom | May 30, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Sprinkle the spinach with chili pepper. They hate that, it's how we keep our rabbit from eating the walls. Yes, he will eat plaster.
Posted by: Becca | May 30, 2007 at 10:40 AM
If there's a garden within reach, that bunny is NOT going to fall for rabbit food!
Don't kill it though, they make great pets (in kennels)!
Posted by: RB | May 30, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Our neighbor's dog killed our little bunny (a three-legged cutie) last weekend.
I think the Hav-A-Heart trap is a great idea. Then said quivering bunny can live in a nice field, at least 2 miles from your spinach.
Posted by: Michelle | May 30, 2007 at 12:41 PM
maybe some companion gardening? We planted some geraniums as a border around our vegetable garden last year, and it did seem to deter some of the bunnies.
Posted by: Laura | May 30, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Along the lines of what Laura said, I believe a border of marigolds will also deter rabbits from eating garden goodies. Or so my dad claimed.
Posted by: Lisa | May 30, 2007 at 02:24 PM
From the looks of these pictures - I think the bunny has to go.
Posted by: Pastormac's Ann | May 31, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Humane trap sounds the kindest. The kids would surely hate it if the poor bunny was killed. My kids are on their annual, not very successful, attempt to stop our cats catching fledglings.
Posted by: Alison | June 02, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Saturday morning cheer: How can you be sure that you are seeing only one bunny? Maybe there is already a family there. Mar-Tene says they are born pregnant. Maybe you should just kiss your garden good bye.
Posted by: amma d | June 02, 2007 at 08:38 AM